Wednesday, 28 November 2012

However, the 35-year-old from Serdang, Kedah, and four others were killed when their journey to a musical performance at a temple ended in tragedy.

The MPV they were travelling in from Parit Buntar to Muar collided with a stationary 12-tonne lorry at KM372 of the North-South Expressway at about 7am yesterday.“The MPV crashed into a rice-laden lorry, which was parked on the emergency lane,” said Deputy Tanjung Malim OCPD Deputy Supt R. Supramaniam

“The lorry (which was heading towards Sungai Buloh, Selangor, from Jitra, Kedah) had a flat tyre and was forced to stop by the roadside.

“The MPV rammed into the lorry before the driver could place emergency cones to warn incoming vehicles,” he added.

DSP Supramaniam said the five died on the spot while six others were rushed to the Slim River Hospital.Retiree Chong Soon Choy, 61, who drove the MPV earlier, said he felt tired and stopped at the Sungai Perak rest area to switch drivers.

Heng Choon Tee, 33, from Butterworth, then took over.“When nearing the Slim River exit, a vehicle that was trailing behind flashed its headlights and we swerved to the left to let it pass,” said Chong, who broke his arm and ribs in the accident.

“The next thing I knew, I was in the car wreck and could hear people screaming and crying in pain,” he said.